A couple months ago, I started to teach small photography classes at the MakeSpace.  It’s opened my eyes to the fact that I really enjoy sharing knowledge and helping other people who are eager to learn photography.  This fall, I’m looking forward to joining Anela (Selkowitz) and Haley (Harned) to teach at Danzante Urban Arts.  I’m a lucky lady to be surrounded by other talented and driven photographers.  I’m also incredibly lucky to have catalysts in Harrisburg that allow me the opportunity to share how tickled I am about making images with others.  So lucky, I’m just ducky!

This is Jordan.  He’s been at almost every class.  He’s attentive and engaged and certainly a patient soul.  He’s helped me focus on creating solid ways to share knowledge and brought me back down to earth when my ADHD kicks in.  Thanks, hot dog.  I appreciate you!  Not to mention, you’re a really swell friend…

We grew up together in fire halls, youth centers, warehouses, coffee shops, and bars.  We’ve grown together, grown apart, impressed each other, pissed each other off, pushed and motivated each other, made it home safe with the other behind the wheel, and I can look back on these years and know how valuable his love is to me…  Andrew (Koji) is one of the most incredible friends I could have ever asked for… I can only inadequately attempt to describe the feeling I get when I stand behind him when he plays.  My gut settles, my heart rises, and I hear him.  In those moments, I also want everyone in the world to hear him.

He’s spent years playing his songs, fighting for causes, encouraging people to work for a better world, touring constantly, and growing as a musician, but he never managed to write a full length album… 

Until now.

This past Tuesday, Koji released his first full length, “Crooked In My Mind,” and Friday night, Exit Skate Shop in Philly hosted his album release party featuring Vinnie Caruana (IATA/The Movielife), Turnover, Modern Baseball, and Dads.  Kids packed into the shop for the show. They came to listen.  It was great.

Now it’s your turn to listen.  Koji “Crooked In My Mind”

Hell yeah.  That was awesome.

Love,

Fresh

I’m excited to tell all of you art-lovin’, city-struttin’, party people that tonight is the grand opening of Stash, a vintage collective boutique at 234 North Street!  Stop by to welcome Jess, Anela, Jen, and Haley to the neighborhood and check out their carefully selected collection of men’s and women’s vintage pieces, as well as housewares and jewelry.

And can I just say, I’m really proud of them.  The shop looks beautiful.  Congrats, my loves!

Peek into the Stash!

After running out of race bibs at 350 people and having at least another 50 to 100 people walking, I realized that Jay Bowser put together what Jersey would have called a “gift.”  This event would have been the rock & roll equivalent of a sold out show at the Abbey Bar.  And in case there was a doubt in your mind, that’s incredible…

On Saturday morning, we were an enthusiastic crowd of people who came together to raise money for Mikey’s kids, show his family love and support, and show Harrisburg how he brought us together.

There is much love here.  That’s important.

Model:  Nora Peach
Stylist:  Megan Heisey
Photos:  Dani Fresh

When Shannon and I met one of the first things we discussed was education.  I found Shannon’s education in ecological design, specifically Agroforestry, fascinating and personal. Her “self-directed” education involves taking various courses at different institutions, extensive reading, shadowing entrepreneurs in the field, and assistant teaching with Permaculture courses.  ”My pedagogy is focused around extensive plant research and building a portfolio of landscape designs, both successes and failures.”  Considering that my own photography education has been a sporadic cluster of learning from a million different sources, I felt like she was speaking my language.  And I think she’s pretty rad for being hyper-focused on the environment.

Keep your eyes peeled!  Shannon is also busy in Olde Uptown with Hanniel Craton creating The Peffer Street Edible Forest Garden.  And you can keep up with what she’s planting here:  http://www.ripeminddesign.com

Even when it’s bad, it’s still way good.

I love you guys so much.

Tara Leo Auchey is the creator and editor of today’s the day Harrisburg, an online community news publication.  Through ttdHBG, she aims to “facilitate the free exchange of news, ideas, and calls to action which better the City of Harrisburg in any way.”  She writes a column for PennLive and the Patriot News called “Q&A with tla,” where people can ask questions pertaining to the City of Harrisburg and she will develop an informed, mindful answer.  Tara also writes monthly for The Burg Magazine and you can find past articles she’s written on the Roxbury News website.

Boiled down, she’s here to spread good the vibe.

Here is Tara in real life:

Jay Bowser isn’t just a talker, he’s a doer.  He’s fused everything in his life together and made himself into a compelling, dynamic tool performing interactive branding for businesses.  And don’t blink, because my man moves fast.  Business, life, wit, and damn, that guy can run.

Life and business combined, he’s a motivator and a friend.  I have awesome mentors, motivators, and friends.  I had people tell me at different times to hit the ground running.  But I’ve never had anyone literally tell me to run and I don’t have a choice because if I don’t, he’ll chase my ass.  Literally and figuratively.

This is Jay Bowser:  unapologetic to anyone who expects him to be anyone other than himself, unorthodox views, practical life experiences, clever as all hell, and reputable intentions.

I bet I sound like a broken record. The past few months I found myself enthusiastically spewing the phrase, “Have you been to the MakeSpace yet?!” almost on the daily. The opening has ignited immeasurable inspiration. The collaborating MakeSpace artists love this town. Art can be done anywhere but they chose HERE.  Through experiences, networks, and riding together on the same wave length they are existing as a creative catalyst for each other and the City of Harrisburg.

Boom!  Check it!

The Artists:

Leah and Fisher

Ian Kanski

Liz Laribee (Director)

Amanda Owens

Cat Rios

Upcoming events:

Live Music on Wednesday January, 16 at eight o’clock with a $5 suggested donation:  L’ASTRONAUT and HELLO SHARK

Fresh Prints:  a group exhibit is on Friday January, 18 from six o’clock until ten o’clock.
JACKIE BURKE (Harrisburg)
MICHAEL FISHER (Lancaster)
BRENTON GOOD (Camp Hill)
STEPHEN MURRILL (Harrisburg)
TENNYSON TIPPY (Philadelphia)
LEAH YANCOSKIE (Lancaster)

Go absorb:  http://hbgmakespace.com